Orthostatic chronotropic incompetence in patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).
van Campen, C Linda M C, Verheugt, Freek W A, Rowe, Peter C et al.·IBRO neuroscience reports·2023
This study looked at how ME/CFS patients' hearts respond when they stand up or tilt upright during a medical test. Normally, when you stand, your heart rate increases to maintain blood flow to your brain. Researchers found that many ME/CFS patients had an incomplete heart rate increase despite their blood flow dropping significantly—a condition called chronotropic incompetence. This problem was more common in patients with more severe ME/CFS.